Spill & Pipeline Emergency Reporting

The Trans Alaska Pipeline System was designed and constructed to the highest standards to safely transport crude oil from the North Slope to Valdez. TAPS consists of an 800-mile 48-inch oil pipeline, a smaller 148-mile fuel gas pipeline that runs underground from Pump Station 1 to Pump Station 4, and other above-ground and buried lines on the Valdez Marine Terminal and at other TAPS facilities.

Recognizing a leak

If you are near one of the pipelines during an emergency, you may detect an oil or natural gas leak by:

Smell: Crude oil may have an odor similar to fuel oil or gasoline. Natural gas leaks may be detected by a pungent, rotten egg or sulfur odor.

Sight: A pool of dark liquid or discolored vegetation near the pipeline may indicate a crude oil leak. A dense white cloud or fog and flames may indicate a natural gas leak.

Sound: An unusual noise, hissing or roaring sound may be a sign of a leak.

If a leak occurs:

Do not approach the spill, leak or vapor cloud.

Leave the area immediately.

Do not touch leaking liquids or breathe leaking gasses.

Do not create sparks, light matches, start an engine, switch on a light, use a camera flash or cellular telephone. These actions may ignite the leaked or spilled substance.

Warn others nearby of the possibility of a pipeline release. Provide your name, location, description of the leak or possible leak and information on how you can be contacted.

From a safe location, call Alyeska Pipeline Service Company at (907) 835-4709, or contact 911 or other local emergency response numbers.

Damage Prevention Program

Alyeska’s Damage Prevention Program was designed to reduce and eliminate excavation and installation related accidents. Some portions of the trans-Alaska pipeline and the fuel gas line are buried. Excavation and installation related activities are prohibited along all portions of the pipeline right-of-way, unless prior authorization from Alyeska Pipeline Service Company has been received. Call (907) 787-8870 to reach an Alyeska representative or simply dial 811 for information regarding excavation and installation requirements near the pipelines.